JetBlue introduces Blue Bravest livery honoring FDNY

JetBlue has added another special livery to its fleet – Blue Bravest – honoring the New York City Fire Department and its members as well as the FDNY Foundation, a not-for-profit educational group supporting fire fighters and community education efforts. The plane was unveiled today, first with a pass up the Hudson River this morning around sunrise and then in a ceremony at JFK airport this afternoon.

A composite shot of Blue Bravest passing up the Hudson this morning. It wasn’t really that low.

Weather this morning was a bit grey and dreary but the plane made the low pass up the river. My photos were mediocre at best but some of the news helicopters got some great footage of it (don’t listen to the audio…seriously).

This afternoon the party in JetBlue’s Hangar 81 at JFK was a big deal, with dozens of former FDNY employees who are currently JetBlue employees honored in speeches by CEO David Barger and FDNY Commissioner Salvatore Cassano.

And, most importantly, there were opportunities to get up close and inside the plane for some fun photos.

It is just a regular JetBlue A320 on the inside, really, except for one small addition made right at the front. To the best of my knowledge this is the only JetBlue aircraft with such a decoration on the interior.

Yes, a JetBlue plane painted all in red is a bit different and will certainly take some getting used to. But is is a great livery and a great nod to New York’s Bravest.

My favorite shot of Blue Bravest from the day – the model and the real thing together.